Udinese technical director, Gökhan Inler, has hailed the progress of Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, pointing out that the shot-stopper has made notable advancements in various facets of his game.
Inler underscored Okoye’s increasing confidence and his reinstatement to the Nigeria national football team as indicators of his consistent development.
Okoye faced a challenging beginning to the season after being sidelined for several weeks due to a betting-related suspension.
However, he has since made a strong comeback to regain the first-choice goalkeeper position at Udinese.
Despite his revival at the club level, the 26-year-old was left out of Nigeria’s squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nevertheless, his recent re-inclusion in the national team seems to indicate a renewed faith in his capabilities.
In an interview with TV12 via Tuttomercatoweb, Inler highlighted the club’s strategy regarding Okoye’s development, disclosing that the coaching staff has been collaborating closely with the goalkeeper on a weekly basis.
“You should inquire with him about our methods (laughs). We are working in close proximity; a goalkeeper of his caliber must consistently perform at the highest level,” Inler remarked.
“The key is to engage with the players on an individual basis, allowing us to explore deeper aspects.”
He emphasized the significance of personal communication and trust, noting that Okoye is progressively enhancing not only his performance but also his leadership and communication skills on the field.
“This has been the case with Maduka, every week, alongside the goalkeeping coach and the head coach; we are putting in considerable effort. It is crucial to have faith in him; he must offer something, particularly in terms of communication.
“He is gradually evolving; he even made it back to the national team, and he understands the necessity to demonstrate his worth in every match.
“I am always supporting him; when I observe any signs of regression, I must address them promptly because there are still eight matches remaining, and I aim to surpass last year’s performance,” he continued.
Okoye recently celebrated his return to international play by completing the full 90 minutes in Nigeria’s 2-1 win over Iran.